Professional Painting Guide for New Sheetrock Walls

Posted on February 12, 2021 by bittnerdry

Have you just installed brand new sheetrock walls? If so, you are probably itching to get them painted and finished to complete your space’s updated look. But before you get started, it is wise to review some helpful tips and tricks for painting and finishing new sheetrock. Conveniently, you are already in the right place. Continue below for a professional’s guide to painting new sheetrock walls, as well as some tips on what to do if you experience trouble with your drywall projects.

Indianapolis Sheetrock and Painting Contractors 317-269-7319

What is Sheetrock?

Not sure which type of wall you are working with? Well, do not let the term sheetrock confuse you. Sheetrock is also referred to as drywall or plasterboard. So, if you were confused, the answer is “yes, sheetrock is drywall”, which means you are correct! If you installed your own sheetrock, then you have likely just finished with fastening all the drywall boards to the wall studs, taping the seams, applying your joint compound, or drywall mud, letting it dry, and sanding it all down to a smooth, flawless surface.

At this point in the project, you do not want to let all your hard work go to waste with improper paint and primer application! Even if you purchased your sheetrock pre-treated, or had them professionally installed by an Indianapolis drywall company, you still do not want to jeopardize the finished outcome. Be sure you are making the proper arrangements to render a professional-grade outcome.

How to Paint New Sheetrock

Using a soft, damp sponge, wipe down the surface of your drywall to remove any residual dust or sanding debris. Be sure to let the wet spots dry completely.

Prepare your workspace with drop cloths and wall tape to protect against paint spills and splatters. You might want to remove outlet covers and such as well.

Now you are ready to paint. A good secret is to use a ladder and a long extension pole that will reach the very top crease of the ceiling and walls.

Always start with the ceiling, if needed. Then do the walls.

Apply your primer first. Be sure you have chosen a paint and primer product that is specifically made for sheetrock. Drywall is very absorbent, and using the wrong product will look unprofessional.

Prime your walls next. Start with the corners and edges of the wall, then work your way down.

Repeat these last two steps with your paint of choice. Always do a second coat!

Allow the paint to dry completely in between coats, and before removing your painters’ tape.

Where to Get Professional Drywall and Painting in Indianapolis, Indiana

When a painting project gets to be too much for you to take on, just call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for Indianapolis drywall and painting service you can afford! We are experienced drywall contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial services, including drywall, painting, repair, replacement, installation, new home construction, metal stud framing, custom drywall texture, grid ceilings, and much more. Contact us to request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

How to Prime Your Walls Before Painting Them

Posted on October 7, 2020 by bittnerdry

Before you paint your walls, it is strongly encouraged by all veteran drywall painters to prime first. Wall priming may seem like a tedious and unnecessary step, but you will find that it is very worthwhile in the end. Even if you have a non-significant area to paint, like a closet or pantry, priming first will make a huge difference, and you will be happy that you did.

Continue reading to learn some helpful tips that will make priming an easier job than you’d expect.

Indianapolis Painting and Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Why Your Drywall Needs a Layer of Primer

There is a good reason to prime your walls before painting them. Primer is a sealant, which provides a preparatory coating for your paint. Primer promotes better adhesion of paint, increases paint durability and longevity, and protects the drywall. Although you can purchase self-priming wall paint, it is recommended to use two separate products for the best results.

Paint Primer Application Tips

Always be sure to prepare the surrounding area for a painting project by covering up carpet, floors, furniture, and appliances with tarps. This step also includes taping up baseboards, crown molding, wainscoting, and more. Once your surroundings are protected, you can get to work without concern for your personal possessions.

When dipping your paint brush into the primer, try to wipe the excess product off on the sides of the pail. You do not want to apply primer when your brush is dripping. When it is time to apply the product to the wall, start with edges first. Create a border around the edges and corners of the walls where the roller will not be able to reach.

For reliable results, always apply at least 2 coats of primer. For new construction drywall, one coat is acceptable, but two coats is the standard. For darker colored walls, you may need one or two extra coats if you are painting with a lighter color paint afterwards.

Be sure to lightly sand your walls after the primer has finished drying completely. Then use a tack cloth to wipe off all the excess dust. Do this step before painting, and you will have a smooth, even finish when you are done.

Is the Priming and Painting Job Too Much to Take On?

Contact Drywall By Local Builders in Indianapolis for Professional Help!

If your priming and painting project seems too challenging to take on yourself, just call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for residential drywall services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are experienced drywall contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall service, including repair, replacement, installation, painting, new home construction, metal stud framing, custom drywall texture, grid ceilings, and much more. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.

How to Paint Like a Pro

Posted on May 15, 2020 by bittnerdry

Want to know how the professionals make a painting job look so good? The answer is to combine the right techniques with the right products. Continue below to learn how to paint just like a pro!

Painter’s Tape is Crucial

When you tape up baseboards before painting, it can seem like a pretty straightforward task. Apply the tape so that the woodwork is covered and move on; right? Well, many times, after the painting is finished and the tape is removed, you can find streaks or drops that managed to seep their way through. To avoid this, do what the pro’s do and use a putty knife to apply the painting tape on baseboards and molding. Press the knife against the tape to ensure a thorough seal. This prevents any paint from getting through.

Hole-Patching and Sanding

One of the most important steps to painting is preparation. Preparation of course includes choosing the proper paint, deciding on a color, purchasing needed supplies, and laying out protective drop canvas for flooring and furniture. But when we mentioned preparation in terms of what the professionals suggest, we mean hole-patching and sanding. All holes and deficits should be filled in with a joint-compound patching product, smoothed down evenly, and allowed to dry completely. Once these areas of dry, you can sand away all the uneven surfaces.

It is vital to sand away any surface flaws, like spackle, joint-compound patches, nicks, nail holes, scores, scratches, chips, and more the best you can. Do this using a fine grit sandpaper and sanding pole. The fine grit will protect your walls from over-sanding, while the pole will allow you to reach all the way to the high walls and ceiling. Sand baseboards, molding, walls, and more to get an even smooth surface. Once you have an even and smooth surface, you can move forward with your painting project.

Tinted Primer

When joint compound is painted over, it can sometimes absorb all the moisture from the paint and leave a duller, discolored look. This makes all the patched areas on a wall noticeable. To avoid this problem, which professionals refer to as “flashing”, be sure to apply a primer to your walls before painting. But to paint like a professional, don’t just use any primer, use a tinted primer. Although white primer is acceptable and frequently used, professionals typically use a gray-colored primer, or a primer that is close to the color of the finishing paint. This covers patched areas and existing paint better than plain white or ivory primers. This results in a more vibrant finish and less applications.

Paint Boxing

Although you can purchase the same color in five cans, it is not guaranteed that all five cans will look exactly the same. This can be evident in a paint job when a new container is opened halfway through painting. It can result in a different color tones on a wall. To avoid this, professionals “box” their paint by pouring all cans into one large bucket to achieve one consistent color.

Paint Extenders

Ever wonder why a self-paint job looks streaky and a professional’s is always smooth and even? Well the secret is adding a paint extender or paint conditioner into your paint. Popular products, like Floetrol, are designed to slow down the drying process of the paint, allowing a more even application and finish. Not only do paint extenders hide brush strokes, they also eliminate dark lap marks from painting over semi-dried paint.

Ceilings

When ceilings are textured or bumpy, it can be virtually impossible to paint a clean line between the wall and the ceiling. For this reason, professionals will use a screwdriver to scrape a ridge along the edge of the walls and ceiling. This creates a platform for painting a smooth straight line between ceiling and wall and prevents paint from sticking to ceiling bumps. The resulting ridge should be fine enough so that the lost texture is never noticed, but wide enough for brush bristles to fit.

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